Tag Archives: General Dynamics Electric Boat

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted a ceremonial first-cut-of-steel event on May 23, 2019, at its Newport News Shipbuilding division to mark the start of advance construction for the Columbia-class submarine program.

Newport News Shipbuilding officially began advance construction of the first Columbia-class submarine on Thursday – three weeks ahead of schedule. Pictured (left to right) are Jason Ward, Newport News’ vice president for Columbia-class construction; John Lennon, vice president of the Columbia-class submarine program at General Dynamics Electric Boat; Captain Jon Rucker, the Navy’s Columbia program manager; Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, the Navy’s Columbia program executive officer; and Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding (Photo by Matt Hildreth/HII)

With the press of a button, a plasma-burning machine cut the first steel plate that will be used to build USS Columbia (SSBN-826), the lead ballistic missile submarine. As Newport News continues its digital transformation, the event also marked the first class of submarines that will be built using fully digital blueprints.

«Today is a historic day», said Jason Ward, Newport News’ vice president for Columbia-class construction. «It has been a half century since Newport News Shipbuilding has constructed a ballistic submarine. Today, we celebrate the decade-plus effort spent working with Electric Boat on the design of this new class of submarine as we formally transition from design to material procurement and now to construction execution».

Newport News is a major contractor and shipbuilding partner in the Columbia-class program and is performing advance construction activities under a contract the shipyard received from General Dynamics Electric Boat. The Columbia-class boats will replace the fleet of Ohio-class nuclear ballistic submarines. Newport News is starting its work three weeks ahead of schedule to support its advance construction efforts.

«The first cut of steel is a major construction milestone that signifies our shipyard and submarine industrial base are ready to move forward with production», Ward said. «We have worked to engage the submarine industrial base and leveraged lessons learned from the successful Virginia-class program to building the Columbia-class submarines in the most efficient and affordable manner to provide the best value to the Navy».

Ceremony participants included Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin; Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, Columbia’s program executive officer; Captain Jon Rucker, Columbia’s program manager; Will Lennon, vice president of the Columbia-class submarine program for General Dynamics Electric Boat; and shipbuilders.

Construction of the 12-boat Columbia class will take place in Virginia, Rhode Island and Connecticut, with Electric Boat assembling and delivering all of the submarines. The lead boat is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2027.

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $5.1 billion Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) contract to complete the design of the lead Columbia-class submarine – USS Columbia (SSBN-826), the nation’s next-generation sea-based strategic deterrent. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (GD).

General Dynamics awarded $5 billion for design of U.S. Navy’s next ballistic-missile submarine

«Working closely with the U.S. Navy and the submarine industrial base, Electric Boat will continue to lead critical aspects of the Columbia-class development effort, including design, material procurement, construction and operating-cost reduction, to achieve an affordable and effective program», said Electric Boat President Jeffrey S. Geiger.

The IPPD contract includes funding for component and technology development as well as continued development of the Common Missile Compartment, which will be integrated into both the U.S. Navy’s new SSBN and the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought-class strategic missile submarine.

Construction of the lead Columbia-class submarine is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2020. The U.S. Navy plans to build a fleet of 12 new SSBNs.

The contract announced today follows a five-year, $1.85 billion award Electric Boat received in December 2012 to perform research and development work for the U.S. Navy’s new class of ballistic-missile submarines.

General Dynamics Electric Boat has established standards of excellence in the design, construction and lifecycle support of U.S. Navy submarines. In its position as an industry leader, Electric Boat remains committed to applying its technical strengths and business expertise to effectively manage the challenges of nuclear-submarine production. The company’s three primary locations are in Groton and New London, Connecticut; and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Its current workforce is approximately 15,800 employees.

The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Colorado (SSN-788), the 15th submarine of the Virginia-class, September 21.

Navy Accepts Delivery of the Future USS Colorado (SSN-788)

The submarine’s sponsor is Annie Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

The ship began construction in 2012 and is scheduled to commission in spring 2018. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation’s undersea superiority.

«Colorado’s delivery brings another Block III Virginia-class submarine to the fleet within budget. The submarine’s outstanding quality continues the Program’s tradition of delivering combat ready submarines to the fleet», said Captain Mike Stevens, Virginia-class submarine program manager. «The Colorado is the most capable Virginia-class submarine bringing advanced capabilities and technology to the Navy fleet».

The submarine will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with the name Colorado. The first Colorado was a three-masted steam screw frigate that participated in the Union Navy’s Gulf Blockading Squadron that fought in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher with then-Lt. George Dewey serving as her executive officer. In the early years of the 20th Century, the second Colorado (ACR-7) was a Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser that escorted convoys of men and supplies to England during World War I. The third ship of her name, the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships (BB-45), supported operations in the Pacific theater throughout World War II, surviving two kamikaze attacks and earning seven battle stars.

Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

The Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the U.S. Navy, delivered the ceremony’s principal address. His daughter, Anne Mabus, was serving as the ship’s sponsor. She broke a bottle of sparkling wine during christening ceremonies.

«The christening of the future USS Colorado is an example of our enduring partnership with our nation’s shipbuilders, and this ceremony marks a milestone along the journey to add another submarine to our Navy fleet-a fleet that will reach more than 300 ships by 2019», Mabus said. «Colorado and its crew will, for decades to come, carry the American spirit and the name of this great state around the world as a testament to the hard work and patriotism of those who built SSN-788 and the people who call Colorado home».

USS Colorado (SSN-788) is the 15th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the fifth Virginia-class Block III submarine. The ship began construction in 2015 and is scheduled to commission in 2017. This next-generation attack submarine provides the U.S. Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation’s undersea superiority well into the 21st century.

The submarine will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with the name Colorado. The first Colorado was a three-masted steam screw frigate that participated in the Union Navy’s Gulf Blockading Squadron and that fought in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher with then Lieutenant George Dewey, serving as her executive officer. In the early years of the 20th Century, the second Colorado (ACR-7) was a Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser that escorted convoys of men and supplies to England during World War I. The third ship of her name, the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships (BB-45), supported operations in the Pacific theater throughout World War II, surviving two kamikaze attacks and earning seven battle stars.

USS Colorado (SSN-788) has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, mine delivery and minefield mapping, and special forces delivery and support.

Virginia-class submarines, built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News, are 7,835 tons/7,961 metric tons and 377 feet/114.8 m in length, have a beam of 34 feet/10.36 m and can operate at more than 25 knots/28 mph/46.3 km/h submerged. They are built with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship-reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

Annie Mabus, daughter of Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, breaks a bottle of sparkling wine during christening ceremonies for the USS Colorado in Groton

Behind the scenes, a small cadre of logistic specialists quietly executed the functions of outfitting and stowing the Navy’s newest submarine. The team tracked and monitored the delivery of more than 10,000 items to include all Authorized Medical Allowance List (AMAL), Authorized Dental Allowance List (ADAL), General Use Consumables List (GUCL), and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) to the submarine.

«Beyond the hull of Illinois, the most valuable asset – the crew – was provided with dedicated support facilities to ensure training, administration and day-to-day operations of the command continued unencumbered by the construction», said Aiello.

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, Groton Division is a relatively small unit comprised of 19 civilian and military personnel.

«The single aspect that, to me, is most inspiring about the organization is the sheer dedication to the Sailors on the waterfront and the true collaborative nature that is fostered across the spectrum of organizations at the shipyard», said Aiello.

According to Aiello, collaboration between civilian employees and military staff is a noted organizational strength of the unit.

«While a good segment of the team have prior military experience, those who do not have demonstrated the same commitment to excellence and truly understand the need for flawless customer support», he added.

USS Illinois (SSN-786), which is the 13th submarine in the Virginia class, is scheduled to be commissioned October 29.

The nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, USS Illinois (SSN-786), returned to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard Sunday (July 31) following the successful completion of alpha sea trials, its first voyage in open seas. USS Illinois (SSN-786) is the 13th ship of the Virginia Class, the most capable class of attack submarines ever built. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (GD).

Illinois’ alpha sea trials included a range of submarine and propulsion-plant operations, submerging for the first time and high-speed runs on and below the surface to demonstrate that the ship’s propulsion plant is fully mission-capable.

The sea trials were directed by U.S. Navy Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr., director – Naval Nuclear Propulsion. Also participating in the sea trials were Captain Jeffrey Heydon, supervisor of shipbuilding in Groton, and Jeffrey S. Geiger, president of Electric Boat. Illinois is commanded by Commander Jesse Porter.

«The crew and shipbuilders worked together seamlessly to take this submarine to sea and put it through its paces», said Geiger. «It was a superb effort by everyone involved, and reflects the commitment of the U.S. Navy and industry team to sustain the success of the Virginia-class submarine program. I deeply appreciate the contributions made by the U.S. Navy personnel, shipbuilders and suppliers who made it happen».

Virginia-class submarines displace 7,835 tons/7,961 metric tons submerged, with a hull length of 377 feet/114.8 m and a diameter of 34 feet/10.36 m. They are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots/28+ mph/46.3+ km/h and can dive to a depth greater than 800 feet/244 m, while carrying Mark-48 advanced capability torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack missiles.

The stern unit of the USS South Dakota (SSN-790) (Photo by Chris Oxley)

Construction on the new USS South Dakota (SSN-790) submarine kicked off Monday, April 4, with the official keel-laying ceremony. During the keel-laying ceremony, Mrs. Dempsey, the ship’s sponsor, etched her initials into the keel plate, verifying that the «keel has been truly and fairly laid». The submarine will officially be christened in Summer 2017. The PCU South Dakota will be commissioned for service and officially become the USS South Dakota (SSN-790) in August 2018.

USS South Dakota (SSN-790) has been used to test acoustic superiority measures

This ship is the seventh of the Block III subs which will feature a revised bow, including some technology from Ohio-class SSGNs. The USS South Dakota (SSN-790), a new submarine named for the famed battleship of World War II, USS South Dakota (BB-57), ceremonially started the building process at the General Dynamics-Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn.

Navy is building an upcoming Virginia-class attack submarine, the future USS South Dakota (SSN-790), with acoustic superiority features: a large vertical array, a special coating and machinery quieting improvements inside the boat.

The keel-laying ceremony is a formal event that signifies the start of building a new vessel. Historically, it marked the time when the keel – or the «backbone» of the ship – was set up so that builders could start putting together the ship from the bottom up.

Stern of the Virginia-class submarine USS South Dakota (SSN-790) under construction in Newport News. Several stories tall, the stern will propel the sub underwater at 25 plus knots and withstand depths in excess of 800 feet (Photo by Chris Oxley)

Nuclear Submarine Lineup

Block I

Ship

Yard

Christening

Commissioned

Homeport

SSN-774 Virginia

EB

8-16-03

10-23-04

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

SSN-775 Texas

NNS

7-31-05

9-9-06

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

SSN-776 Hawaii

EB

6-19-06

5-5-07

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

SSN-777 North Carolina

NNS

4-21-07

5-3-08

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

EB – Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut

NNS – Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia

SSN – Attack Submarine, Nuclear-powered

Shipbuilders install the upper rudder on the submarine USS South Dakota (SSN-790) (Photo by Ricky Thompson)